Netanyahu Office Slams Macron's 'Grotesque Absurdity' on Hamas Activity

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a strong condemnation of French President Emmanuel Macron's recent remarks at the UN General Assembly, where Macron stated that Hamas had "never been very active" in Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu's office called the statement "grotesque absurdity" and "stunning," releasing a communiqué Tuesday evening.

In its response, Netanyahu's office highlighted the recent murder of Netanel Shukrun, a French citizen and father of six, who was killed in Judea and Samaria by Hamas on Sunday, the eve of Yom Kippur. The communiqué recounted Shukrun's last words to his son, telling him to run, a gesture that allowed his son Yoav to escape the attacker. "Hamas terrorists carry out attacks against Jews almost daily. They have murdered countless Israeli civilians in Judea and Samaria. Ignorance is no excuse for erasing their blood," the Prime Minister's office stated.

Macron's comments were made during his address to the UN General Assembly, where he also criticized Israeli policies and violence in Judea and Samaria. He questioned the basis for such actions, asserting Hamas's limited activity in the West Bank and calling for respect for the "legitimate rights of the Palestinian people."

Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich also accused the French president of lying, asserting that Hamas actively fuels terrorism in Judea and Samaria and plays a significant role in regional attacks.